Rent house Oahu for terrific marine wildlife adventure!
May 17th, 2008
Submarine Dives:
When you rent house Oahu you can play Jules Verne and experience the underwater world from the comfort of a submarine, which will take you on an adventure below the surface in high-tech comfort. The entire trip is narrated as you watch tropical fish and sunken ships just outside the sub. If swimming’s not your thing, this is a great way to see Hawaii’s spectacular sea life. Shuttle boats to the sub leave from Hilton Hawaiian Village Pier. The cost is $80 for adults (book on the Internet for just $68), $42 ($36 booked online) for kids 12 and under (children must be at least 36 in. tall). Call Atlantis Submarines (tel. 800/548-6262 or 808/973-9811; www.go-atlantis.com) to reserve. A word of warning: The ride is safe for everyone, but skip it if you suffer from claustrophobia.
Whale-Watching:
From December to April, 45-foot humpback whales — Hawaii’s most impressive visitors — come to spend the winter. They make the journey from Alaska to calve and mate in Hawaii’s calm, warm waters. Once nearly hunted to extinction, humpback whales are now protected by federal law. The mammals may not be approached by any individual or watercraft within 100 yards.
Whales can frequently be seen off the island on calm days. If you spot the familiar spout of water — a sign the mammal is exhaling — there’s a good chance you’ll see the whale on the surface. If you’re in a car, please pull over, as many accidents have occurred when visitors try to spot whales and drive at the same time.
Sportfishing:
Kewalo Basin, between the Honolulu International Airport and Waikiki, is the main location for charter fishing boats on Oahu. From Waikiki, take Kalakaua Ewa (west) beyond Ala Moana Center; Kewalo Basin is on the left, across from Ward Centre. Look for charter boats all in a row in their slips; on lucky days, the captains display the catch of the day in the afternoon. You can also take TheBus no. 19 or 20 (Airport). The best way to book a sportfishing charter when you rent house Oahu is through the experts; the best booking desk in the state is Sportfish Hawaii (tel. 877/388-1376 or 808/396-2607; www.sportfishhawaii.com), which not only books boats on Oahu, but on all islands. These fishing vessels have been inspected and must meet rigorous criteria to guarantee that you will have a great time. Prices range from $721 to $914 for a full-day exclusive charter (you, plus five friends, get the entire boat to yourself), $550 to $625 for a half-day exclusive, or from $170 for a full-day share charter (you share the boat with five other people).